I-9 Supplement A: Preparer and Translator Certification

Supplement A is part of the 2023 I-9Closed Form I-9 to verify the identity and employment authorization of individuals hired for employment in the United States. form. Supplement A is required when an applicant uses a preparer or translator to help complete Section 1. Understanding when Supplement A applies and how it works helps recruiters ensure I-9 compliance when applicants need additional assistance.

What Is Supplement A?

Supplement A is the Preparer and/or Translator Certification section of the I-9. When an applicant cannot complete Section 1 on their own due to a disability or language barrier, the applicant may get help from a preparer or translator. That person must sign Supplement A to certify that the information they helped enter is accurate.

In Bullhorn, Supplement A is included as part of the 2023 I-9 Section 1 and Supplement A form. When you assign this form to an applicant, Supplement A is available automatically — no separate assignment is needed.

When Is Supplement A Required?

Supplement A is required whenever anyone other than the applicant helps complete any part of Section 1. This includes:

  • A translator who helped the applicant understand and complete the form due to a language barrier.
  • A preparer who physically entered information on behalf of the applicant due to a disability.

Supplement A is not required if the applicant completed Section 1 entirely on their own without assistance.

Key Rules for Supplement A

  • The applicant must still personally sign Section 1, even when a preparer or translator helped complete the form.
  • Each preparer or translator must sign their own Supplement A entry. If multiple preparers or translators helped, each person signs a separate entry.
  • The preparer or translator's signature confirms that the information they helped enter in Section 1 is accurate to the best of their knowledge.
  • Supplement A information appears on a separate page from Section 1 in the final signed PDF, but Supplement A is part of the same form and the same audit record.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the recruiter need to do anything to enable Supplement A?

No. Supplement A is part of the 2023 I-9 Section 1 and Supplement A form in Bullhorn. When you assign this form, Supplement A is included automatically. The preparer or translator completes their portion as part of the same workflow.

What if the applicant used both a preparer and a translator?

Each person who assisted must sign a separate Supplement A entry. The form supports multiple preparer and translator entries.

Where does Supplement A appear in the completed I-9 document?

In the final merged PDF, Section 1 and Section 2 appear on the first page, followed by Supplement A. The signature IDs at the bottom of each page confirm that all signatures were captured and logged separately.

Troubleshooting

Use these steps to resolve the most common issues with Supplement A.

If the applicant does not see a Supplement A section in their form

Supplement A is only included when the applicant is assigned the 2023 I-9 Section 1 and Supplement A form. If the applicant was assigned a different I-9 form, Supplement A will not appear. Verify the form assignment in the applicant's Onboarding page and reassign the correct form if needed.

If the preparer or translator cannot access the form to sign Supplement A

Supplement A is completed as part of the applicant's form workflow — it is not sent separately to the preparer or translator. The applicant must share access to the form with the person assisting them, or the preparer or translator must complete their portion while physically present with the applicant during the signing session.

If Supplement A is missing from the completed I-9 PDF

If a preparer or translator assisted the applicant but Supplement A does not appear in the final PDF, the form may have been completed without the preparer or translator signing their entry. A Section 1 correction may be required to re-open the form and capture the missing signature. Contact your compliance team before initiating a correction to confirm the appropriate next step.

If the applicant completed Section 1 on their own but Supplement A still appears in the PDF

If no preparer or translator was used, Supplement A should appear blank or with a "No preparer or translator used" attestation. A blank Supplement A in the final PDF is not an error — it is expected when no assistance was provided. No action is required.

Scenarios

The following scenarios describe common Supplement A situations. Each is written to stand alone for quick reference.

The applicant cannot complete Section 1 due to a language barrier

A translator may assist the applicant in completing Section 1. The translator must complete and sign Supplement A to certify that the information they helped enter is accurate. The applicant must still sign Section 1 personally. The 2023 I-9 Section 1 and Supplement A form in Bullhorn includes Supplement A as part of the same form, so no separate assignment is needed.

The applicant has a disability that prevents them from completing Section 1 on their own

A preparer may fill out Section 1 on behalf of the applicant. The preparer must sign Supplement A. The applicant must still sign Section 1 personally. If the applicant is also physically unable to sign, consult your legal or compliance team for guidance, as USCIS has specific rules for situations where the applicant cannot physically sign.